A villager squats on dried-up field as severe drought ravages Sichuan Prov.

A villager squats on the dried-up field in the Hulu Village of Zizhong County in Neijiang City, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, April 3, 2013. A severe drought has lingered over most areas of Sichuan since last winter, leaving more than 2.6 million people short of drinking water.

Villagers carry water with buckets in the Hulu Village of Zizhong County in Neijiang City, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, April 3, 2013.

Ducks look for water around a dried-up pond in the Zhongxin Village of Weiyuan County in Neijiang City, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, April 3, 2013. <Xinhua/Xue Yubin>